How to Avoid Discriminatory Language in Business Communications

In the previous lesson, we discussed how using the right tone in business communication can help an individual be more professional and effective. In this lesson, we look at another aspect of business communication that can have negative repercussions if used incorrectly. Today, when professionals address the reader, they are communicating with a mixed group of nationalities: people of different age groups, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, marital statuses, and genders.

Before you begin writing a business document, here are a few questions to help you avoid discriminatory language:

Who is your reader?

Are you addressing both men and women? What is the gender mix?

Do the readers belong to different cultural or ethnic groups?

What is the age mix of your reader?

Does your reader include someone with a physical disability?

Answering these questions will help you get a fix on the general dos and don'ts to follow in your business communication.

Gender discriminatory language

Language is a reflection of the sociocultural milieu of any given society. Words, phrases, titles, and designations are derived from the prevailing conditions in a society. The English language as we know it today has evolved through the ages. Many of the words, titles, and phrases that were appropriate in yesteryear have fallen out of favor now, as the society continues to rapidly change. Today the business environment is inundated with people from different cultures and ethnicities. More and more women have entered the corporate world, causing a number of gender-biased terms to be inappropriate. Even so, gender discriminatory language is one of the most prominent pitfalls that professionals face when writing a business document.

Avoid using words and phrases that needlessly imply gender.

For example, instead of saying, "Guests and their wives," say, "Guests and their spouses."
Avoid terms like "woman reporter" or "lady judge."

]]>